80s Movie Review - Stand By Me

Director: Rob Reiner
Genre: Drama/ Adventure
Runtime: 89 minutes
Year: 1986
Starring: Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, John Cusack, Richard Dreyfuss

Description: After the death of a friend, a writer recounts a boyhood journey to find the body of a missing boy.

Review: The name Stephen King is easily linked to horror stories like “The Shining”, “It” and “Carrie”, but he also wrote some stories that fall in a different genre than horror. The movie  “Stand By Me” is one of them, which is based on the short story “The Body”. In this realistic drama we follow four teenagers in a coming of age story.
Those four boys are Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern. They grow up in a little town in Oregon. In the summer of 1958 a boy from their town goes missing. One of the boys overhears a conversation about the whereabouts of the dead body of the boy. The four kids decided to start a journey to find him. Their journey is more than just that, it’s testing their friendship and it’s the next step to adulthood.
Director Rob Reiner creates the perfect atmosphere and shows us the life of small-town American kids in the 50s. This movie makes you long for your own childhood, where a journey outside your town sounded like an adventure already.
River Phoenix, who unfortunately died too young, is the most impressive actor in the film. He manages to convince us as the tormented problem child. But also Will Wheaton, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell manage to impress. It’s touching to see how all these very different characters grow on you.
Simple dialogue, a beautiful story and good acting make “Stand By Me” a fantastic film. It’s on my favorites list.

Rating: 5/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - Jaws

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 1975
Starring: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb, Jeffrey Kramer, Susan Backlinie, Jonathan Filley, Ted Grossman, Chris Rebello, Jay Mello, Lee Fierro, Jeffrey Voorhees, Craig Kingsbury, Robert Nevin, Peter Benchley

Description: When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief (Roy Scheider), a marine scientist (Richard Dreyfuss) and grizzled fisherman (Robert Shaw) set out to stop it.

Review: “Jaws” is a perfect adventure film, that is now a classic and one of the most successful films in movie history. “Jaws” had an enormous impact and it still holds up.

The movie is based on the book by Peter Benchley, that was a bestseller in 1973. In the book the small town Amity is ravaged by a series of shark attacks. Producers David Brown and Richard Zanuck thought it would make a great movie and the then 27-year-old Steven Spielberg was hired to direct.
“Jaws” follows three men, very different from each other, that try to hunt down the giant shark that causes all the trouble in Amity. First we have police chief Martin Brody, a New Yorker who was tired of all the violence in the big city. Now he is stationed in the small town of Amity, in New England. When a shark starts taking victims, Brody wants the beaches to be closed, but it’s summer season and the mayor doesn’t want all the tourists to leave. Brody gets help from oceanographer and shark expert Matt Hooper, who also doesn’t manage to convince the mayor. When more victims are claimed, the rough and harsh fisherman Quint is hired as well. The three of them try to catch and kill the shark.
Filled with suspense, humor, good acting and unforgettable music, “Jaws” should be on everyone’s “must-see” list. And in everyone’s collection. The film has an amazing buildup, where you see the actual shark when you’re about 45 minutes in. The element of not showing the shark, makes it even scarier and it will make you think twice about swimming in the ocean for a while. Even though the movie is from the 70s, and the effects are dated, “Jaws” still manages to give you the chills and scare you every single time. It holds up, even with those effects.
“Jaws” won three Academy Awards: montage, sound and music. That music, by John Williams, is one of the most recognizable themes in movie history. Even people who haven’t seen “Jaws” recognize it.
Let’s forget there were tree sequels (the second was acceptable, the rest is just terrible). “Jaws” is an ultimate classic, an enjoyable view every time.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 124: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama/ Science Fiction/ Adventure
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 1977
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, Bob Balaban, J. Patrick McNamara, Warren J. Kemmerling, Roberts Blossom, Philip Dodds, Cary Guffey, Shawn Bishop, Adreinne Campbell, Justin Dreyfuss, Lance Henriksen, Merrill Connally, George DiCenzo, Amy Douglass

Description: After an encounter with U.F.O.s, a line worker (Richard Dreyfuss) feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.

Review: What would it be like to get in contact with extra terrestrial life? Do they even excist? And if they do, are they friendly or hostel? Nowadays we know a little bit more about space travel and such, but in 1977 we didn’t. But that didn’t stop Steven Spielberg to create one of the most realistic science fiction films in movie history. And “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” is about the first contact between people and aliens.
What makes “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” so great is the buildup of the tension, because it’s only in the last part of the film that we know exactly what the extra terrestrials want. It all starts with Roy Neary, who witnesses a strange object in the air while on a job. This also happens to Jillian, who sees weird flashes and also sees her son Barry disappear. For both of them it becomes an obsession and they want to know more about what they saw. And the American government is trying to prepare for the coming of the extra terrestrials. ‘
Steven Spielberg makes it look so simple, how he build up the tension of this film. Objects moving, sound effects, light flashes. And it is that simple. The scene where Roy is in his ca rand experiences all this, or that part where Jillian and Barry are in their house, right before Barry disappears. Those two scenes are the best and are very exciting. And Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Neary is also fantastic.
The movie grabs you and keeps your attention at all times. And the music, by John Williams, is enchanting. “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” is a true classic and a film for every sci-fi lover.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 70: American Graffiti

Director: George Lucas
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 1973
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, WOlfman Jack, Harrison Ford, Bo Hopkins, Kathy Quinlan, Suzanne Somers, Manuel Padilla Jr. Beau Gentry, Jim Bohan, Jana Bellan, Deby Celiz

Description: A couple of high school grads spend one final night cruising the strip with their buddies before they go off to college.

Review: “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” are the first movies that come to mind when thinking of George Lucas. But he also directed “American Graffiti”, a film that cost less than it made. And it even got five Academy Award nominations.
We follow a group of friends on the night before their adulthood starts. Curt and Steven will go to college. Both got a scholarship. Steve is excited to go to college, but Curt isn’t to happy about leaving his secure environment.
The characters feel realistic, which makes you care for them. The film takes place over the course of one night and we follow several storylines. “American Graffiti” feels a bit slow sometimes, because every storyline gets an equal amount of attention. But it doesn’t reallt bother you.
“American Graffiti” is a fun teen film that is relatable.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 50: Mr. Holland's Opus

Director: Stephen Herek
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 143 minutes
Year: 1995
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, William H. Macy, Olympia Dukakis, Alicia Witt, Terence Howard, Glenne Headly

Description: A frustrated composer (Richard Dreyfuss) finds fulfillment as a high school music teacher.

Review: As a (former) teacher I always love to see movies about teachers who make a difference, touch the lives of the students. “Mr. Holland’s Opus” is a movie that does this too, it’s a beautiful film.
Richard Dreyfuss plays Glen Holland, a frustrated composer. Because he needs money, he takes a job as a music teacher as a high school. He is not very excited to start, but that’s until he sees what his classes do for the students.
“Mr. Holland’s Opus” is an ode to music. From classical to pop to rock music. It’s an impressive film with a lot of highlights. Music is emotion and this movie shows that. And you feel it. Richard Dreyfuss’ performance is wonderful, I loved him in “Mr. Holland’s Opus”. The ending might feel a bit too much, but I think it’s great.
“Mr. Holland’s Opus” is a beautiful film and a great dedication to music.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Favorites: Jaws

Synopsis: When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.

 

 

Unique Selling Point: Probably the only really good shark movie ever made. It’s an absolute classic and it’s still scary after watching it many times. The build-up is great, that creates the tension and gives you scares. Even though it’s not timeless because of technique, no other shark movie will top “Jaws”.

Most Valuable Player: Composer John Williams, by making his music even scarier than the actual shark.

Best Moment: The opening scene, with Chrissy who decides to go skinny dipping. Not a good idea!

Quotables: "Stand By Me"

One of my favorites. A good coming of age story, that I can actually watch over and over again. It’s just a great story, filled with quotable lines.







Chris: How do you know if a Frenchman has been in your backyard?
Teddy: Hey, I'm French, okay?
Chris: Your garbage cans are empty and your dog's pregnant.
[Chris and Gordie laugh]
Teddy: Didn't I just say I was French?

Gordie: Suck my fat one, you cheap dime store hood.

Vern: [after dropping his hamburger in the campfire by accident] This isn't funny! What am I supposed to eat?
Teddy: You could cook your dick.
Chris: It'd be a small meal.

Chris: I'm never gonna get out of this town am I, Gordie?
Gordie: You can do anything you want, man.
Chris: Yeah, sure. Give me some skin.
Gordie: I'll see ya.
Chris: Not if I see you first.

The Writer: It happens sometimes. Friends come in and out of our lives, like busboys in a restaurant.

Vern: You think Mighty Mouse could beat up Superman?
Teddy: What are you cracked?
Vern: Why not? I saw the other day, he was carrying 5 elephants in one hand.
Teddy: Boy, you don't know nothin', Mighty Mouse is a cartoon, Superman is a real guy, no way a cartoon could beat up a real guy.
Vern: Yeah, maybe you're right... would be a good fight though!

The Writer: At the beginning of the school year, Vern had buried a quart jar of pennies underneath his house. He drew a treasure map so he could find them again. A week later, his mom cleaned out his room and threw away the map. Vern had been trying to find those pennies for nine months. Nine months, man. You didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The Writer: The freight woke up the other guys and it was on the tip of my tongue to tell them about the deer. But I didn't. That was the one thing I kept to myself. I've never spoken or written about it until just now.

Movie Moments: "Stand By Me"

"Stand By Me" is one of my favorite movies of all-time. People who follow my blog know this. Although the movie is only around 90 minutes long, it has plenty of great scenes. Here they are.

Moment # 1: Verne tells his friends about Ray
Chris, Gordie and Teddy are talking and playing cards in their treehouse. Verne wants to enter, but doesn’t remember the secret knock anymore. They let him in anyway. While still teasing Verne, he tells his friends about the dead body of Ray Brower. They decide to go on a fieldtrip and find the body.

Moment # 2: Danny gives Gordie the hat
When Gordie is at home, getting all his stuff together for the trip, he has to find his cantine. He goes into his brother Danny’s room, who recently past away. He starts to think about the moment when Danny gave him the New York Yankees cap.

Moment # 3: It’s loaded
When Gordie and Chris meet up for their trip, Chris shows him what he brought: a gun. Gordie starts playing with it and Chris tells him it isn’t loaded. When he points at a mark and wants to fire, they find out it is loaded and they run away.

Moment # 4: Dodging the train
When the boys are walking, they hear a train coming. Verne, Chris and Gordie get off the train rails, but Teddy doesn’t. He decides to dodge the train. He wants to wait untill the last moment to get off the rails.

Moment # 5: Gordie and Chris race each other
The boys climb over a fence and they want to take a break. Gordie and Chris decide to race each other. When they stop and Chris wins, they look at each other and smile, the look of true friendship.

Moment # 6: “Shut Up!”
The boys are hungry and one of them needs to gets something to eat. They flip coins and Gordie is the lucky one. Verne, Teddy and Chris start making fun of him and Gordie tells them to shut up. The other three respond: I don't shut up. I grow up. And when I look at you, I throw up. Aghhh!

Moment # 7: Chopper
When Gordie returns with the food and drinks, he sees his friends climbing over the fence. Than he sees the owner of the property and he releases his dog Chopper. All he hears is “Chopper, sic balls”. When he’s on the other side of the fence, the boys see Chopper’s true identity and he doesn’t look like an evil dog at all.

Moment # 8: “TRAIN!”
In order to get to the other side, the boys decide to take the bridge which has a railroad. While walking, Gordie looks behind and sees smoke. A train is coming and they have to start running to make it to the other side. Chris and Teddy are already there, but Verne and Gordie still have a long way to go. Verne is affraid that he is going to fall, but Gordie makes sure he starts running too.

Moment # 9: Campfire talk
The four friends make a campfire and start all sorts of discussions. Like what animal Goofy is, which food they could eat for the rest of their lives and Wagon Train. Especially the Goofy discussion is a hot topic.

Moment # 10: Gordie’s story
Still around the campfire, Gordie tells his friends a story he wrote. It’s about a fat boy, nicknamed Lard Ass, who enters a pie eating competition and takes revenge on all the people who always make fun of him.

Moment # 11: Gordie and Chris share a moment
While Verne and Teddy are sleeping, Chris and Gordie sit down and talk. Chris talks about his father and gets really emotional. Gordie comforts him. Than Chris tell Gordie that he will be a great writer someday and he might wright about them.

Moment # 12: Leeches
The boys have to cross a swamp to get on the other side. They start fooling around, but when they get out teddy sees something in Verne’s neck. They’re all covered in leeches. When they think they got rid of them all, Gordie checks his undies and than faints.

Moment # 13: They find the body
After a long trip, the guys finally find what they where looking for: the body of Ray Brower. They look at it and decide what to do next. Ace and his friends join them, because they knew about Gordie, Verne, Teddy and Chris trying to find Ray. He starts threatening the boys, but than Gordie pulls out the gun. Ace and his buddies leave.

Moment # 14: Goodbye
The boys return from their trip and say goodbye. They leave and they all go to their own lives again. The voice-over, who’s a grown up Gordie, tells us what happened to his friends. Like Chris, who became a lawyer and was stabbed and died instantly. His closing lines are: “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone? “

Favorite Moment: Moment # 11: Gordie and Chris share a moment

Movie Tip #12 - Stand By Me

Director: Rob Reiner

Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, John Cusack, Richard Dreyfuss

Description: 4 young friends set out on an adventure. Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern go looking for the missing body of a local teenager - found by a gang of older boys. A story of boys hangin' out and growin' up.

Review: This movie shows us about real friendship. It's based on a short story by Stephen King. Young as they are, they explore life and they test their friendship. Four different kids, an odd group, but you come to like every single one of them. It's heartwarming, sad, touching and funny. One thing made me think. At the end of the movie, the grown up Gordie tells us: "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?" And really... I think he's right.